A universal Citizen’s Income would either require unthinkable tax rises or fail to deliver its objectives of simplification and a guaranteed standard of living. There are problems in the welfare system, but CI is not the solution to them. Rather it is a distraction from finding workable solutions.

The committee did not invite anyone to give evidence who had undertaken the microsimulation research that shows that feasible tax rises, a Citizen’s Income at a significant level, and escape from means-tested benefits and therefore greater simplicity for a large number of households, are entirely compatible. To see the results of such research click here. Updated microsimulation research results will be available soon.